No.  36. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  TRAVELLER. 

AN    AUTHENTIC    NARRATIVE. 

Having  tarried  a  few  days  in  a  beautiful  village  of 
the  West,  I  embarked  in  a  vessel  which  was  crossing 
one  of  the  great  lakes.  Three  other  individuals  had 
taken  passage,  and  night  coming  on  found  us  waiting 
for  a  breeze. 

About  9  o'clock,  as  the  sails  were  hoisted,  another 
passenger  came  on  board.  When  we  had  cleared  the 
harbor  he  entered  the  cabin  and  seemed  to  suppose 
that  he  was  alone:  for  we  had  all  retired  to  our  berths. 
The  lamp  was  burning  dimly  on  the  table,  but  it  afford- 
ed sufficient  light  for  me  to  discover  that  he  was  young. 
Seating  himself  beside  it,  he  drew  a  book  from  his 
pocket  and  read  a  few  minutes.  Suddenly,  from  on 
deck,  was  heard  the  voice  of  the  captain,  uttering  oaths, 
terrific  beyond  description.  The  youth  arose,  Laid  his 
book  in  the  chair,  and  kneeling  beside  it,  in  a  low 
whisper  engaged  in  prayer.  I  listened  attentively,  and 
thought  his  soul  seemed  to  burn  within  him;  I  could 
gather  only  an  occasional  word,  or  part  of  a  sentence, 
such  as  "mercy,"  "  dying  heathen,"  "sinners,"  etc. 
Presently  he  seemed  in  an  agony  of  spirit  for  these 
swearers,  and  could  scarcely  suppress  his  voice  while 
pleading  with  God  to  have*  mercy  on  them.  My  soul 
was  stirred  within  me.  There  was  a  sacred ness  in  this 
place,  and  I  was  self-condemned,  knowing  that  I  also 
professed  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  had  retired,  with  my 
fellow-passengers,  to  rest,  not  having  spoken  of  God  or 
committed  myself  to  his  care. 

Early  in  the  morning  I  was  waked  by  a  loud  voice  at 
the  door  of  the  companion-way  :  "  Here  !  whose  Tracts 
are  these?"  followed  by  other  voices  in  threats  and  im- 
precations against  Tract  distributers,  Bethels,  Temper- 
ance societies,  etc. 

I  thought  of  the  young  stranger,  and  feared  they 
would  execute  their  threats  upon  him;  but  he  calmly 
said,  "Those  Tracts,  sir,  are  mine.  I  have  but  few,  as 
you  see,  but  they  are  very  good,  and  you  may  take  one, 
if  you   wish.     I   brought  them  on   board  u>  distribute, 


*A  THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER. 

/ 

but  you  were  all  too  busy  last  night. "  The  sailor 
smiled    and  walked  away,  making  no  reply. 

We  were  soon  called  to  breakfast  with  the  captain 
and  mate.  When  we  were  seated  at  the  table,  "Cap- 
tain," said  our  young  companion,  uas  the  Lord  supplies 
all  our  wants,  if  neither  you  or  the  passengers  object, 
I  would  like  to  ask  His  blessing  on  our  repast." 

"If  you  please,"  replied  the  captain,  with  apparent 
good  will.  In  a  few  minutes  the  cook  was  on  deck, 
and  informed  the  sailors,  who  were  instantly  in  an  up- 
roar, and  their  mouths  filled  with  curses.  The  captain 
attempted  to  apologize  for  the  profanity  of  his  men, 
saying,  "it  was  perfectly  common  among  sailors,  and 
they  meant  no  harm  by  it." 

"With  your  leave,  captain,"  said  the  young  stranger, 
"I  think  we  can  put  an  end  to  it." 

Himself  a  swearer,  and  having  just  apologized  for 
his  men,  the  captain  was  puzzled  for  an  answer;  but, 
after  a  little  hesitation,  replied,  "1  might  as  well  at- 
tempt to  sail  against  a  head  wind  as  to  think  of  such  a 
thing.'' 

"But  I  meant  all  I  said,"  added  the  young  man. 

"Well,  if  )OU  think  it  possible,  you  may  try  it,"  said 
the  captain. 

As  soon  as  breakfast  was  over,  the  oldest  and  most 
profane  of  the  sailors  seated  himself  on  the  quarter- 
deck to  smoke  his  pipe.  The  young  man  entered  into 
conversation  with  him,  and  soon  drew  from  him  a  his- 
tory of  the  adventures  of  his  life.  From  his  boyhood 
he  had  followed  the  ocean.  He  had  been  tossed  on  the 
billows  in  many  a  tempest;  had  visited  several  mis- 
sionary stations  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  and 
gave  his  testimony  to  the  good  effects  of  missionary 
efforts  among  the  natives  of  the  Sandwich  islands. 
Proud  of  his  nautical  skill,  he  at  length  boasted  that 
he  could  do  anything  that  could  be  done  by  a  sailor. 

"I  doubt  it,"  said  the  young  man. 

"I  can,"  answered  the  hardy  tar,  "and  will  not  be 
outdone,  my  word  for  it." 

"  Well,  when  a  sailor  passes  his  word  he  ought  to  be 
believed.  I  know  a  sailor  who  resolved  that  he  would 
stop  swearing,  and  did  so." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER.  «5 

"Ah,"  said  the  old  sailor,  "you've  anchored  me; 
I'm  fast — but  I  can  do  it." 

"  I  know  you  can/'  said  the  young  man,  H  and  I  hope 
you  will  anchor  all  your  shipmates'  oaths  with  yours." 

Not  a  word  of  profanity  was  afterward  heard  on 
board  the  vessel.  During  the  day,  as  opportunity  pre- 
sented itself,  he  conversed  with  each  sailor  singly  on 
the  subject  of  his  soul's  salvation,  and  gained  the  hearts 
of  all. 

By  this  time  I  was  much  interested  with  the  young 
stranger,  and  determined  to  know  more  of  him.  There 
was  nothing  prepossessing  in  his  appearance  ;  his  dress 
was  plain  ;  his  manners  unassuming;  but  his  influence 
had,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  in  a  few  short  hours 
greatly  changed  the  aspect  of  our  crew.  The  tiger 
seemed  sofh  ned  to  a  lamb,  and  peace  and  quiet  had 
succeeded  confusion  and  blasphemy. 

After  sup;  er,  he  requested  of  the  captain  the  privilege 
of  attending  worship  in  the  cabin.  His  wishes  were 
complied  with,  and  soon  all  on  board,  except  the  man 
at  the  helm,  were  assembled.  The  captain  brought  out 
a  Bible,  which  he  said  was  given  him  in  early  life  by 
his  father  with  a  request  that  he  would  never  part  with 
it.  We  listened  as  our  friend  read  Matthew's  account 
of  Christ's  crucifixion  and  resurrection  ;  and  then  look- 
ing round  upon  us,  he  said,  "  He  is  risen — yes,  Jesus 
lives,  let  us  worship  him." 

It  was  a  melting  scene.  Knees  that  seldom  bowed 
before  now  knelt  at  the  altar  of  prayer,  while  the 
solemnities  of  eternity  seemed  hanging  over  us.  After 
prayer  we  went  on  deck  and  sang  a  hymn.  It  was  a 
happy  place — a  floating  Bethel.  Instead  of  confusion 
and  wrath,  there  was  sweet  peace  and  solemnity.  We 
ceased  just  as  the  setting  sun  was  flinging  upon  us  his 
last  cheering  rays. 

"Look  yonder!"  he  exclaimed.  "  You,  who  have 
been  nursed  in  the  storm  and  cradled  in  the  tempest, 
look  at  the  setting  sun,  and  learn  a  lesson  that  will 
make  you  happy  when  it  shall  set  to  rise  no  more.  As 
rose  that  sun  this  morning  to  afford  us  light  and  com- 
fort, so  has  the  Son  of  God  arisen  to  secure  salvation 
to  all  who  accept  and  love  him  ;  and  as  that  sun  with- 
draws its  beams,  and  we   are  veiled    in   darkness  for  a 


4  THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER. 

season,  so  will  the  Son  of  Righteousness  withdraw  his 
offers  of  mercy  from  all  who  continue  to  neglect  them. 
But  remember,  that  season  is  one  that  never  ends — one 
dark,  perpetual  night/' 

The  captain,  deeply  affected,  went  into  the  cabin,  lit 
his  lamp,  took  his  Bible,  and  was  engaged  in  reading 
till  we  had  retired  to  rest. 

In  the  morning,  as  soon  as  we  were  seated  at  the 
breakfast-table,  the  captain  invited  our  friend  to  ask  a 
blessing.  "  There,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  tf  this  is  the 
first  time  I  ever  made  such  a  request;  and  never,  till 
this  young  man  came  on  board,  have  I  been  asked  for 
the  privilege  of  holding  prayers,  though  1  have  a  thou- 
sand times  expected  it,  both  on  the  ocean  and  the  lake; 
and  have  as  often,  on  being  disappointed,  cursed  religion 
in  my  heart,  and  believed  that  it  was  all  delusion.  Now 
I  see  the  influence  of  the  Bible,  and  though  I  make  no 
claims  to  religion  myself  I  respect  it;  for  my  parents 
were  Christians;  and  though  I  have  never  followed  their 
counsels,  I  cannot  forget  them." 

After  this,  for  three  days,  we  regularly  attended 
family  worship,  and  had  much  interesting  conversation 
on  various  subjects,  for  there  was  nothing  in  the  religion 
of  the  young  stranger  to  repress  the  cheerfulness  of 
social  intercourse.  From  his  familiarity  with  the  Bible, 
his  readiness  in  illustrating  its  truths  and  presenting  its 
motives;  and  from  his  fearless,  but  judicious  and  perse- 
vering steps,  we  concluded  that  he  was  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  From  all  he  saw  he  gathered  laurels  to  cast  at 
his  Master's  feet,  and  in  all  his  movements  aimed  to 
show  that  eternity  was  not  to  be  trifled  with.  A  few 
hours  before  we  arrived  in  port  we  ascertained  that  he 
was  a  mechanic. 

Before  we  reached  the  wharf  the  captain  came  for- 
ward, and  with  much  feeling  bade  him  farewell;  de- 
clared that  he  was  resolved  to  live  as  he  had  done  no 
longer — his  wife,  he  said,  was  a  Christian,  and  he  meant 
to  go  and  live  with  her;  and  added,'' I  have  had  minis- 
ters as  passengers  on  my  vessel  Sabbath  days  and  week 
days,  but  never  before  have  I  been  reminded  of  the 
family  altar  where  my  departed  parents  knell."  As  we 
left    the    vessel,    every    countenance    showed    that   our 


THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER.  5 

friend  had,  by  his  decided,  yet  mild  and  Christian 
faithfulness,  won  the  gratitude  0f  man}'-  and  the  esteem 
of  all. 

We  soon  found  ourselves  in  a  canal  bo|t<  where  were 
about  thirty  passengers  of  various  ages  and  characters; 
and  my  curiosity  was  not  a  little  excited  to  learn  how 
my  companion  would  proceed  among  them.  The  after- 
noon had  nearly  passed  away,  and  he  had  conversed 
with  no  one  but  myself.  At  length  he  inquired  of  the 
captain  if  he  were  willing  to  have  prayers  on  board. 

"I  have  no  objection,"  said  he,  H  if  the  passengers 
have  not ;  but  /shan't  attend." 

At  an  early  hour  the  passengers  were  invited  into  the 
cabin,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  captain  was  seated 
among  them.  After  reading  a  short  portion  of  Scrip- 
ture, our  friend  made  a  few  appropriate  remarks,  and 
earnestly  commended  us  to  God. 

As  soon  as  lie  rose  from  prayer,  a  gentleman,  whose 
head  was  whitening  for  the  grave,  said,  "Sir,  I  should 
like  to  converse  with  you.  1  profess  to  be  a  deist.  I 
once  professed  religion,  but  now  I  believe  it  is  all 
delusion." 

"Sir,"  said  the  young  man,  "I  respect  age,  and  will 
listen  to  you;  and  as  you  proceed,  may  perhaps  ask  a 
few  questions;  but  I  cannot  debate,  I  can  only  say  that 
I  must  love  Jesus  Christ.  He  died  to  save  me,  and  I  am 
a  great  sinner." 

**  I  do  not  deny  that  men  are  sinners,"  said  the  old 
man,  "but  I  don't  believe  in  Christ." 

"Will  you,  then,  tell  us  how  sinners  can  be  saved  in 
some  other  way,  and  God's  law  be  honored  ?" 

We  waited  in  vain  for  a  reply,  when  my  friend  pro- 
ceeded :  "Not  many  years  since  I  was  an  infidel,  be- 
cause I  did  not  love  the  truth,  and  was  unwilling  to 
examine  it.  Now  I  see  my  error;  and  the  more  I  study 
the  Bible  the  firmer  is  my  conviction  of  its  truth,  and 
that  there  is  no  way  of  salvation  but  through  a  crucified 
Redeemer." 

As  the  passengers  sat  engaged  in  conversation,  one 
of  them  at  length  turned  to  our  young  friend  and  related 
the  circumstances  of  a  murder  recently  perpetrated  by 
a  man  in  the  neighborhood   while  in   a   fit  of  in  toxica* 


6  THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER. 

tion.  To  this  all  paid  the  strictest  attention.  The  cap- 
tain joined  them  to  hear  the  story,  the  conclusion  of 
which  afforded  an  opportunity  for* the  stranger  to  begin 
his  work.  P*  was  the  fearless  advocate  of  temperance 
as  well  as  religion,  and  here  gained  some  friends  to  this 
cause. 

"But,"  said  he  at  length,  "though  alcohol  occasions 
an  immense  amount  of  crime  and  misery  in  our  world, 
I  recollect  one  instance  of  murder  with  which  it  had  no 
connection."  He  then  related,  as  nearly  as  I  can  re- 
member, the  following  story: 

"In  a  populous  city  at  the  East  was  a  man  who 
seemed  to  live  only  for  the  good  of  others.  He  daily 
exhibited  the  most  perfect  benevolence  toward  his  fel- 
low-men ;  sought  out  the  poor  and  needy,  and  relieved 
their  wants;  sympathized  with  and  comforted  the  sick 
and  the  afflicted;  and,  though  he  was  rich,  his  unspar- 
ing beneficence  reduced  him  to  poverty.  He  deserved 
the  esteem  of  all,  yet  he  had  enemies.  He  took  no  part 
in  politics,  yet  many  feared  that  his  generosity  was  a 
cloak  of  ambition,  and  that  he  was  making  friends  in 
order  to  secure  to  himself  the  reins  of  government. 
Others  feared  that  his  religious  sentiments,  connected 
with  his  consistent  life,  would  expose  their  hypocrisy. 
At  length  a  mock-trial  was  held  by  an  infuriated  mob, 
and  he  was  condemned  and   put  to  death  !" 

"Where  was  that?" — "When  was  it?" — "Who  was 
it  ?" — was  heard  from  several  voices. 

"  It  was  in  the  City  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  person  was 
none  other  than  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  his  enemies 
he  was  hung  upon  the  cross,  and  for  us,  guilty  sinners, 
he  died." 

Every  eye  was  fixed  upon  the  young  man,  and  a 
solemn  awe  rested  on  every  countenance.  He  opened 
a  Bible  which  lay  upon  the  table,  and  read  the  account 
of  Christ's  condemnation  and  death :  the  captain  nodded 
to  him  as  a  signal  for  prayer,  and  we  all  again  fell  on 
our  knees,  while  we  wept  over  the  condition  of  sinners, 
and,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  besought  God's  mere)''  upon 
them.     Here,  again,  was  a  floating  Bethel. 

In  the  morning  the  stranger  was  not  forgotten,  and  he 
evidently  did  not  forget  that  there  were  immortal  souls 


THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER. 


around    him,  hastening    with   him   to  the    bar  of  God. 
During    the    day   he    conversed    separately    with    each 


individual,  except  an  elderly  gentleman, ^dio  had  fol- 
lowed him  from  seat  to  seat,  and  showe#^Juch  uneasi- 
ness of  mind  ;  the  realities  of  eternity  jPn?  set  before 
us,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  seemed  to  be  strivingwiih  many 
hearts. 

As  the  mantle  of  evening  was  drawing  around  us,  our 
friend  requested  an  interview  with  the  aged  man. 

u  Yes,  yes,"  said  lie,  "  I  have  been  wishing  all  day  to 
see  you,  but  you  were  talking  with  others." 

He  acknowledged  that  he  had  tried  to  be  a  universal- 
ist;  and  though  he  could  not  rest  in  that  belief,  he 
never  until  the  previous  evening  saw  his  lost  condition. 
"  And  now,"  said  he,  4<  I  want  you  to  tell  me  what  I 
shall  do." 

The  young  man  raised  his  eyes  to  heaven,  as  if  im- 
ploring the  Spirit's  influences,  and  then  briefly  explained 
the  nature  and  reasonableness  of  repentance  and  faith, 
accompanied  by  a  few  striking  illustrations,  in  proof  of 
the  justice  of  God  in  condemning,  and  his  mercy  in  par- 
doning sinners. 

The  old  man  saw  ihe  plan  of  redemption  so  clearly, 
that  he  burst  into  tears  and  exclaimed,  "  O,  my  soul, 
my  soul  !  How  have  I  sinned  against  God  !  I  see  it — 
1  feel  it — yes,  I  have  sinned  all  my  days." 

"  But  Jesus  died  to  save  sinners,"  replied  the  young 
man  ;   "  will  you,  my  friend,  give  him  your  heart  ?" 

11  O,  yes,  yes;  if  I  had  a  thousand  hearts  he  should 
have  them  all,"  was  the  answer. 

The  young  man  turned  away  and  wept.  For  some 
minutes,  silence  was  broken  only  by  the  deep  sighs  of 
the  aged  penitent.  There  was  something,  in  an  hour 
like  this,  awfully  solemn.  Heaven  was  rejoicing,  I 
doubt  not,  over  a  returning  prodigal.  As  he  stood  alone 
and  wept,  he  reiterated  again  and  again,  "Yes,  I  will 
serve  God,  I  will,  I  will."  After  a  time  his  feelings 
became  more  calm,  and  lifting  his  eyes  toward  heaven 
with  both  hands  raised,  he  broke  out  in  singing  : 

"There  shall  I  bathe  my  weary  soul 
In  seas  of  heavenly  rest. 
And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 
Across  my  peaceful  brea6t." 


8  THE    CHRISTIAN    TRAVELLER. 

And  then  again  he  wept,  and  said,  "  Yes,  O,  Jesus, 
precious  Saviour." 

The  time^ad  come  for  our  young  friend  to  leave  us. 
By  his  zea<^>  his  Master's  service  he  had  stolen  our 
hearts,  and  "t^,.^  pressed  forward  to  express  their  friend- 
ship in  an  afteciionaie  farewell. 

Such  was  the  influence  of  one  individual,  whose  un- 
wavering purpose  it  was  to  live  for  God.  He  felt  for 
dying  sinners,  and,  relying  on  the  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  for  success,  labored  for  the  salvation  of  souls 
around  him.  Will  not  the  reader  solemnly  resolve,  in 
God's  strength,  that,  henceforth,  whether  at  home  or 
abroad,  he  will  make  the  glory  of  Christ,  in  the  salvation 
of  men,  the  one  object  of  his  life?  When  Christians 
universally  shall  do  this,  we  may  expect  soon  to  hear 
the  song  of  Zion  float  on  every  breeze:  "Alleluia!" 
"The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdoms 
of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ." 


PUBLISHED    BY    THE    SOUTH  CAROLINA    TRACT    SOCIETY. 
Printed  by  Evfcns  &  OJgs^&lU  V6„  3  Brcted  street,  Chfctteoton*  8.  0. 


Hollinger  Corp* 
pH  8.5 


